2026 World Cup

[Çnote]

10 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Shakira

Hips heard round the world. I'm a big Electric Mayhem fan, good to see them in the spotlight.

Spain showing a lot of heart for sure.

[Astro70s]

On 7/16/2026 at 1:07 AM, Ken Gargett said:

shame, ayala, shame.

there is no legitimate reason ever, for anything, to support england in any sport. synchronised swimming against epstein island, you'd still back the pedos. 

the only thing i do not like this Newsweek article does not truly stress how much we despise english sporting teams. 

 

 

Hooray! It’s OK To Hate England

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updated

Jul 15, 2026 at 05:10 PM EDT

England supporters react after Argentina scores to draw level as they watch a live broadcast of the 2026 World Cup semifinal football match between En

The despair felt in England after their 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals may appear inconsolable, but there is a upside. The England team’s failure to reach their first World Cup Final since 1966 comes with the knowledge that, for a while at least, the globe is united. In a world bitterly divided by ideology, religion and national rivalry, there is one thing that can still bring people together: it’s OK to hate England.

Argentina’s animosity towards England is well documented, expressed on the soccer pitch in fractious World Cup meetings in 1966, 1998, 2002 and, most famously, 1986 in Mexico City when Diego Maradona proved he was both a cheat and a genius. That 2-1 win 40 years ago took place in the shadow of the 1982 Falklands War and Maradona was clear that beating England was revenge for the Argentinian soldiers who died in the conflict (the fact that Great Britain’s victory in that war all but ended a vicious military dictatorship in Argentina seems to have escaped those who now proclaim their hatred of the English).

 

But Argentina will have to get in the queue. The prime spots for this national pastime are held by the other constituent parts of Great Britain itself, in particular Scotland and Wales, where hating England (if not individual English people) has become a compulsory part of the national culture.

 

Argentine banners have been on show all week in Scottish cities, where the “anyone but England” mantra may as well be written on the flag of St Andrew. In Wales, loathing of England is most often expressed around the sport of rugby rather than soccer, based on an assumption that English people are “arrogant” and even today tainted indelibly by England’s historic role subjugating Welsh independence. It has been pointed out, in a polite English way, that many Scottish and Welsh soldiers died fighting in the Falklands War, so it seems counterintuitive to support the football team of the country that killed them. But this just shows how ingrained anti-Englishness has become.

Even if the truth of a famous speech before a Wales v England rugby match in 1977 has been called into question, that doesn’t stop some fans wearing phrases from it on T-shirts today. The Wales captain Phil Bennett was supposed to have said: “Look at what these b******s have done to Wales. They've taken our coal, our water, our steel. They buy our houses and live in them for a fortnight every 12 months. And what have they given us? Absolutely nothing. We've been exploited, raped, controlled and punished by the Englis—and we're playing them this afternoon.”

So, the answer to the question “Why is it acceptable to still hate the English so vociferously?” can be answered with “It’s history, stupid” and it wouldn’t be far wrong.

On a superficial level this is true of the French, who although being England’s longest running historical adversary (1,000 years and counting) are prolonging a kind if England-hate cosplay out of habit. France is Britain’s closest European ally, but nobody likes to admit that in public. Australia sends much of its bored, restless youth to England each year to work in bars, and the historical ties with the mother country as among the closest of any two countries in the world, yet Australians still feel perfectly willing and able to decry the English as feckless, arrogant and pompous when it suits them. Again, this is most often expressed in the context of sport, in this case cricket.

The historical animosity is most raw for Ireland, which endured centuries of colonization, mistreatment, mismanagement and in some cases terrible bloodshed at the hands of its nearest neighbors. The anti-English sentiment extends deep into the US too, from the idea that nasty old King George III was a tyrant in 1776 right up to today. What Joe Biden meant in 2023 when he answered a request by BBC journalist for a quote by saying “The BBC? I’m Irish” was less a proud proclamation of his heritage but an assurance that he was anti-English. Many Americans love to discuss their family’s personal heritage, with one notable exception.

 

 

 

There is a similar sense of low-level resentment and suspicion among the Indian and Pakistani establishment both for England’s (as part of Great Britain) colonization of their countries and as an expression of a thrusting national identity. The desire to project 21st-century power means that post-colonial countries will hang on to their resentment of England—in particular—even after 80 years have passed since they gained independence. It’s just too convenient as a national rallying point. Disliking England, even if it’s just for show, is the sentiment everyone can get behind.

The irony is England doesn’t often seem a like a very powerful, confident or indeed arrogant country anymore. Huge sections of English society don’t care for being English, perhaps egged on by the evidence that so many other nationalities feel the same way about England as they do. Only 45 percent of those in a series of recent polls said they were proud to be English, with “embarrassment” tracking at around 10 percent.

The Scots and Welsh are living in the same “Broken Britain” as the English, a fractured society with an underpowered economy, yet they are still permitted to cherish their national identity. Many English people feel like they’re not allowed this luxury, which is contributing to the English nationalism feeding into the rise of the populist Reform UK party. Even flying England’s own St George’s Cross is a source of continual public debate about whether it is a symbol of oppression.

There is a football club in south London called Millwall, once notorious for its hooligans, whose most famous chant became “No one likes us, we don’t care.” This World Cup has proved once again, that England may have to accept being the Millwall of the world, whether it likes it or nor. Perhaps England should take it as a compliment. It’s probably better to be hated than ignored.

England is one of the most tolerant places on earth. We continue to tolerate more than we should ever have to. For the past 30 years England has had to tolerate the intolerant, which has lead to absolutely horrific crimes against the native population that continue to this day.

The common people of England have been mistreated by its regime for the past 100 years. The post colonial narrative is now thankfully wearing thin amongst the zoomer generation here. For Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, it seems all too convenient to still blame England for its ills, when they should be looking closer at themselves and their crooked nationalist politicians. 

On the whole, modern anti-English sentiment is lazy, out-dated, and predictable (same with anti-American).

[El Presidente]

10 hours ago, Astro70s said:

On the whole, modern anti-English sentiment is lazy, out-dated, and predictable (same with anti-American).

One of the great parts of the English has always been their sense of humour!  Don't lose it! 

Whether you are Strayans, Poms, Paddy's, Jocks, Taffy's, septics or seal bashers...taking the piss has always been a national sport 

[Astro70s]

3 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

One of the great parts of the English has always been their sense of humour!  Don't lose it! 

Whether you are Strayans, Poms, Paddy's, Jocks, Taffy's, septics or seal bashers......taking the piss has always been a national sport 

I hear you. 

We are living in very unstable times, and the recent atrocities over here have tested that famous SOH for me at least. I am just a normal guy who wishes it was still 1998. 

[Astro70s]

Forgive going off topic...back to the World Cup…Go Spain!

[riderpride]

9 hours ago, Astro70s said:

Forgive going off topic...back to the World Cup…Go Spain! 

They listened.

Cheers

[ha_banos]

Just watched the final with @LaoFan. We were the only Argentina fans in the joint. Only because of his gambling! Lol The stats showed a total Spanish domination. But still only one ET goal. Nuts. Sorry buddy. And thanks for the cigar!

[westg]

Great win.To all Spanish FOH folk enjoy your victory. 🥳😎🌴

[Ken Gargett]

4 hours ago, Astro70s said:

England is one of the most tolerant places on earth. We continue to tolerate more than we should ever have to. For the past 30 years England has had to tolerate the intolerant, which has lead to absolutely horrific crimes against the native population that continue to this day.

The common people of England have been mistreated by its regime for the past 100 years. The post colonial narrative is now thankfully wearing thin amongst the zoomer generation here. For Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, it seems all too convenient to still blame England for its ills, when they should be looking closer at themselves and their crooked nationalist politicians. 

On the whole, modern anti-English sentiment is lazy, out-dated, and predictable (same with anti-American).

that is all fine and most of my ancestors are english (were english?). i lived there for several years late 80s, studied and worked. some of the best times of my life. still have extremely close friends from then. but during that period, england won an Ashes series in Australia. i would have poms lining up outside my office to endlessly take the piss. would not have been so bad if they were mates but most of them i had never met, nor did they bother to even introduce themselves (that was a regular theme in england, which as an Aussie, i found bizarre). day after day. and they laid into me, our cricket team, australia in general and convicts (most poms seem to be under the bizarre impression that all Aussies are born in jail - they conveniently forget that all the convicts here 200 years ago all came from england). it was relentless (speaking of the intolerant) and little i could do but grin and bear it. i could give other examples but that was more than enough, as much as i might love the place, to ensure that you could not come up with a team in any event, from anywhere, that i would not back if they were playing england.

lazy and outdated, i would dispute that. predictable, sure. 

at least we agreed on spain today. 

[Ken Gargett]

agreed with rob on shakira, although her appearance simply made madonna look even older and more past it. what a shambles of a show. whoever put that together (did anyone?) should never be allowed to organise a kindergarten pantomine. when you compare it to many of the superbowl half time shows, including the brilliant one this year, it was a total flop. 

the game is being played in new jersey. not as though that place has not come up with some fairly special musicians/performers. bon jovi, southside johnny, deborah harry, paul simon (okay, a few of those getting on but that didn't stop them dragging madonna out of her crypt). and of course, bruce and the e street band (that was obviously never going to happen). hell, play a large video of sinatra (perhaps not whitney houston). not even gaslight anthem? 

[Ken Gargett]

and most importantly, what a cracking game. the shame was that argentina finished with some of the worst sportsmanship imaginable at the finish and during the ceremony. 

spain was awesome. i had my spanish red on! utterly one-sided game. still, if you start the game with your only tactic being to try and take it through to penalties, you are probably in trouble. not sure messi did his reputation any good but probably didn't need to. nor did any of the argentinians, bar the keeper. needless to say, arsenal decided he was surplus to requirements and flicked him years ago. quality keeper though i gather it was morre because he simply did not get on with anyone. 

huge congrats to spain!! 

[dan05]

Maradona is spinning in his grave about now.

[JohnS]

Congratulations to Spain. They were the better team. Argentina hardly had a shot on goal.

[Li Bai]

I can't recall such a one-sided WC final, congratulations to Spain 👍👍

[Ken Gargett]

just heard from some of my Spanish friends. they have been partying all night and still going. they are so happy. 

[dan05]

Well done Spain. Good win. 

[99call]

On 7/20/2026 at 6:48 AM, Astro70s said:

England is one of the most tolerant places on earth. We continue to tolerate more than we should ever have to. For the past 30 years England has had to tolerate the intolerant, which has lead to absolutely horrific crimes against the native population that continue to this day.

What is a "native". You talk about tolerance, whilst sounding quite intolerant.  

There is a difference between the right wing press amplifying and looking for race baiting stories, and actual frequency of it. Sikh man stabs and kills white man. Huge national story ran in the papers for weeks and weeks. White man stabs a Sikh woman in her bed next to her baby...barely a whisper in The Daily Mail, Telegraph, Times, GB News, completely ignored...non-story. Utterly disgusting. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd0xzy2r1m7o

We are an Island nation, that is what has made Britain and England great. To truly understand what is to be English, is not endlessly cry and mourn over memories of Spitfire's and Treacle sponges, rather to celebrate the diversity of influence. Our Jewish community, or West Indian Community, our Indian community etc  They have made England better, they have fought in the trenches for England...they are English.

Anyone who considers themselves an English "Native" is in a state of self delusion and denial. Our blood if full of in Celtic, Danish, French, Dutch etc etc etc. Nigel Farage ponces about like an English Country Gentleman. My bloodline has far more "English" in it than his. He's a disgusting con man. 

I would argue a true "Englishman" is one who understands and celebrates our long story of multiculturalism. One who is proud that people from around the world want to be a part of our proud history. Englishness is a state of mind...not being white, or having the surname 'Smith'. 

Stuart Lee's sketch is as true now as it was 12yrs ago, when we had to endure the endless nonsense from UKIP.

Viva España!..glad the thugs lost. Karma in action.

[VeguerosMAN]

Rodri won golden ball for scoring 0 and assisting 0. Messi should have won it, in my opinion. 

[Li Bai]

18 hours ago, VeguerosMAN said:

Rodri won golden ball for scoring 0 and assisting 0. Messi should have won it, in my opinion.

Though I understand your point, this statistics-driven opinions are often pointless when it comes to football/soccer, in my honest opinion. How would you rate players like Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Ngolo Kante and so many others? Some of the best in history, no statistic can reflect their influence on the game and it does tell us something. My two cents. 🙏

[VeguerosMAN]

18 hours ago, Li Bai said:

Though I understand your point, this statistics-driven opinions are often pointless when it comes to football/soccer, in my honest opinion. How would you rate players like Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Ngolo Kante and so many others? Some of the best in history, no statistic can reflect their influence on the game and it does tell us something. My two cents. 🙏

I think Messi made more impacts for the team. 8 goals, 4 assists and chances created. Rodri was never in the golden ball conversation, but then again I think the golden ball is reserved mostly for the Cup winning team. 

[Puros Y Vino]

On 7/20/2026 at 5:30 PM, Li Bai said:

I can't recall such a one-sided WC final, congratulations to Spain 👍👍

Germany going 7-1 over Brazil comes to mind. 😁

Argentina's only game was thuggery. Messi can only do so much. Their goalkeeper, in my opinion, should be the World Cup MVP.  He held Spain off quite well and had a heavy workload. As for their post-game shenanigans, I know it won't happen, but they should be forced to sit out the next World Cup.

[Li Bai]

18 hours ago, Puros Y Vino said:

Germany going 7-1 over Brazil comes to mind. 😁

Argentina's only game was thuggery. Messi can only do so much. Their goalkeeper, in my opinion, should be the World Cup MVP.  He held Spain off quite well and had a heavy workload. As for their post-game shenanigans, I know it won't happen, but they should be forced to sit out the next World Cup.

Fair enough but it wasn't a final. As for the shenanigans, I really much agree, even during the game it was a disgrace.

Shame on them.

[Li Bai]

18 hours ago, VeguerosMAN said:

Rodri was never in the golden ball conversation, but then again I think the golden ball is reserved mostly for the Cup winning team. 

If I recall correctly, the last time a golden ball was awarded to a player who didn't win the final was 2014, and it was Messi. Well deserved at the time, to be honest.

In some way, had Messi won the golden ball this year his "victory" would have been tainted by the biased work of the referees all along the competition. Still, probably the goat 🙏

[VeguerosMAN]

16 hours ago, Li Bai said:

If I recall correctly, the last time a golden ball was awarded to a player who didn't win the final was 2014, and it was Messi. Well deserved at the time, to be honest.

In some way, had Messi won the golden ball this year his "victory" would have been tainted by the biased work of the referees all along the competition. Still, probably the goat 🙏

The referees were inconsistent all throughout the tournament. Egypt has no excuse and neither does England. 

[Li Bai]

England has no excuse. Egypt, it's highly debatable, but big teams always get an advantage when they face a smaller one.